City doctor arrested over child kidnapping and trafficking claims

Doctor Joseph Kangari with other suspects said to be involved in child trafficking and kidnapping. [PHOTO: BEVERLYNE MUSILI/STANDARD]

A medic at a clinic in Mwiki was arrested on Tuesday over claims of child kidnapping and trafficking following a police raid at the facility.

Acting on a tip off, police raided a clinic where they arrested a doctor, his receptionist and four women found there suspected to be involved in the alleged crimes.

They also recovered a two-week old infant in the care of the hospital staff.

Kiambu police boss Stephen Ngetich yesterday urged parents who may have lost their new-born baby to visit Kiambu Police Station where the rescued infant was.

He also asked residents to volunteer information to the police so they could arrest all those involved in child trafficking.

Children's home

"The raid was carried out after we got reports that a middle-aged woman who had claimed to be pregnant mysteriously brought home twins," said Ngetich.

"We are only involved because the woman suspected of buying the children is from Kiambu and because the incident happened in Nairobi area, we will be consulting with our colleagues to get to the bottom of the matter," he added.

The 47-year-old woman is currently in police custody and the twins have been taken to a children's home as investigations continue.

The woman, who is thought to be barren, allegedly went to the hospital to buy the children.

The receptionist, who was found with the infant in a back room of the clinic, claimed the child was left behind by the mother who wanted her to be given up for adoption.

It took the police over an hour to search for a Government document used to record births.

The receptionist later gave in and showed them the document and books used by the hospital for records.

Five other women, who had visited the facility, together with the receptionist and the doctor, were also arrested.

Residents gathered outside the hospital watched as the suspects were escorted to a vehicle; some called for the doctor's lynching. 

It is also suspected that the hospital has been offering maternity services illegally and selling some of the babies born to barren women.